Rat remains and droppings found at market butcher's

Rat droppings found at a butchers in Coalville that was closed by North West Leicestershire District Council. (Image: North West Leicestershire District Council)

Share

Get weekly updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

REMAINS OF a dead rat, rat droppings and unsafe food preparation practices were among the reasons why a Mountsorrel man's butcher’s shop has been closed by North West Leicestershire District Council.

Environmental Health Officers found deemed the shop to be carrying out unacceptable hygiene practices.

North West Leicestershire District Council told the Echo that Gerald Spadaccini, of Leicester Road, Mountsorrel - who owns Summerfield Butchers in Coalville - did not contest the orders.

Following a food hygiene inspection on Thursday, March 30, the Environmental Health Team closed the Summerfield Butchers in Coalville Market on Friday, March 31.

Rat droppings found at a butchers in Coalville that was closed by North West Leicestershire District Council. (Image: North West Leicestershire District Council)

Leicester Magistrates confirmed the Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order that was served on the business in court on Monday, April 3.

The court also issued a Food Condemnation Order on food that was seized from the premises, and the food will now be destroyed.

The Echo was told by North West Leicestershire District Council that specific issues found by officers during the inspection, included:

• Cross contamination when preparing cooked and uncooked food

• Unsafe food preparation practices, including failing to check that meats were adequately cooked, and incorrect use of equipment

• Evidence of vermin, including rat droppings and the remains of a rat caught in a trap

• Contaminated hand washing facilities.

The premises of Summerfield Butchers in Coalville Market. (Image: North West Leicestershire District Council)

The business will remain closed until officers are satisfied that it poses no further risk to public health.

The court ordered Mr Spadaccini to pay the council’s legal and investigative costs of £2,341.

Environmental Health Manager at North West Leicestershire District Council, Lee Mansfield, said: “The inspection revealed a number of food preparation and cleanliness practices to be at a very low standard, so the team opted to close the business for the protection of the public.

“We are disappointed that we have had to take this action, as we have been working with the business to improve its practices, including assisting with a deep clean of the premises in autumn last year.

“Whilst we always support food businesses in our district to improve their hygiene practices and only use closure as a last resort where there is an imminent risk to public health, our absolute main concern in cases like this is to protect the public.”